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Press Release

Overview of the Progress in the Implementation of the Action Plan for GHG Emission Reduction in Government Operations in FY 2003

November 2, 2004

The government announced the progress made in FY 2003 in the implementation of the Action Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in Government Operations (hereinafter referred to as the "Government GHG Reduction Action Plan") approved by the Cabinet on July 19, 2002.

1.   Status of greenhouse gas emission from government operations

The Government GHG Reduction Action Plan, which was formulated pursuant to the Climate Change Policy Law (Law No. 117 of 1998) and the Basic Policy on Measures to Tackle Global Warming (Cabinet Decision of April 9, 1999), aims at reducing 7% of the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly from government operations by FY 2006, using FY 2001 as the base year, through active implementation of measures set forth in the plan.

The aggregate greenhouse gas emission from government operations in FY 2003 was 1,978,075 tons CO2, an increase of 0.1% compared to the base year. While amount of CO2 generated by fuel consumption at energy providing facilities is on a declining trend, CO2 emissions associated with power usage shows a sharp increase.

Item FY 2006 Objective Unit FY Results
Aggregate greenhouse gas emission 7% reduction from FY 2001 tons CO2 2001 1,976,550
2002 1,975,035
2003 (FY 2001/FY 2003 comparison) 1,978,075
(an increase of 0.1%)
Notes:    1.   The emission coefficient stipulated by the Cabinet Ordinance Partially Amending the Enforcement Ordinance of the Climate Change Policy Law (Cabinet Ordinance No. 396 of 2002) was used in the estimation of aggregate greenhouse gas emission.
    2.   Government-related organizations such as independent administrative institutions and public corporations (including entities that plan to adopt such forms of organization by FY 2006) were excluded.
    3.   Figures for FY 2001 and FY 2002 differ from the ones released in 2003 since some data was revised.
2.   Results of other target values

The Government GHG Reduction Action Plan sets several objectives besides the aggregate greenhouse gas emission. Their results in FY 2001 (the base year) , FY 2002 and FY 2003 are as follows:

  FY 2006
Objective
Unit FY Results
1   Fuel consumption of official vehicles Less than 85% of FY 2001 level GJ 2001 1,047,108
2002 1,078,834
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
1,075,486
(an increase of 2.7%)
2   Paper consumption Maintain at FY 2001 level ton 2001 31,752
2002 30,301
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
31,587
(an increase of 0.5%)
3   Electricity consumption per office unit area Less than 90% of FY 2001 level kWh/m2 2001 110.4
2002 108.7
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
113.2
(a decrease of 2.5%)
4   Fuel consumption at energy supply and other facilities Maintain at FY 2001 level GJ 2001 6,559,618
2002 6,553,415
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
6,536,297
(a decrease of 0.4%)
5   Consumption of tap water per office unit area Less than 90% of FY 2001 level m3/m2 2001 2.02
2002 1.91
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
2.14
(an increase of 6.0%)
6   Amount of waste Less than 75% of FY 2001 level ton 2001 105,873
2002 92,768
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
87,580
(a decrease of 17.3%)
  Amount of combustible waste Less than 60% of FY 2001 level ton 2001 68,698
2002 57,751
2003
(FY 2001/FY 2003
comparison)
63,197
(a decrease of 8.0%)
Notes:    1.   Government-related organizations such as independent administrative institutions and public corporations (including entities that plan to adopt such forms of organization by FY 2006) were excluded.
    2.   GJ (giga joule): G (giga) means one billion and J (joule) is a SI unit of energy.
3.   Status of the implementation of specific measures with no numerical targets

Among the specific measures that do not have numerical targets, some measures have been satisfactorily implemented while others have not. Some of the measures with satisfactory implementation status and with delayed implementation are highlighted as follows.

(1)    Considerations for the procurement and use of goods and services
Satisfactorily implemented measures are:
  -   Introduction of low-emission vehicles for official use, including fuel-cell vehicles.
  -   Use of refillable detergents and office supplies.

At the headquarters of ministries and agencies, environmentally friendly driving habit, such as elimination of unnecessary idling when using official vehicles, is one of the measures which was satisfactorily implemented.

(2)    Considerations for the construction and management of buildings
Satisfactorily implemented measures are:
  -   Proper management of air-conditioning and heating temperatures in government offices.
  -   Confirming proper treatment of construction wastes by general contractors.

At the headquarters of ministries and agencies, use of renewable materials for construction material, introduction of an advanced control system for elevators and installation of energy saving lighting are satisfactorily implemented.

The introduction of facilities to utilize solar energy, etc. is a measure that has been delayed in implementation. Measures that have been delayed in implementation at local branch offices or bureaus include:

  -   Introduction of heat storage system for air-conditioning contributing to equalization of electric load.
  -   Introduction of facility useing rain water if an appropriate utilization is possible.
(3)    Considerations for the regulating greenhouse gas emissions in other government activities.
Satisfactorily implemented measures include:
-   Thorough implementation of sorted collection of waste plastic and the like in offices.
-   Shift to use energy-saving type office automation equipments, home electric appliances and lightings.

Headquarters of ministries and agencies actively promoted the wearing of light clothing in the office during summer and thinned-out operation of elevators according to the current status of the use.

Measures that have been delayed in implementation, especially at local branch offices and bureaus, include:
  -   Use of high-efficiency water heaters including heating pumps using CO2 refrigerants.
  -   Installation of portable water saving device in toilet flush.
  -   Formulation of recycling plans at individual government offices to secure recycling routes, etc.

(4)   Raising employees' awareness, in general, has not necessarily made progress at the headquarters or at local branch office level.
4.   Future challenges

In view of the FY 2003 implementation status, ministries and agencies need to further promote measures to attain the government objectives, taking proper actions with special focus on measures that have not yet been satisfactorily implemented. For measures that can be monitored regularly by numerical values, the government shall continue to collect and assess data using appropriate units, and follow up thoroughly by, for example, quickly reflecting findings to the government operations.

In terms of implementation status of targets, some progress has been made in measures to control fuel consumption and waste generation of energy providing facilities. However, more progress should be made to accomplish overall target of the government, since fuel consumption of official vehicles and electricity consumption per unit area have exceeded the baseline values. It is necessary to take appropriate actions for the implementation of measures not only at the headquarters but also at local branch offices and bureaus, since the performance at these local offices have considerable influence on the government's performance as a whole.

Fuel consumption of official vehicles, amount of power and tap water consumption in offices per unit area, have exceeded the baseline values. It is important for each of the officials working at the ministries and agencies to be aware of this. Ministries and agencies should step up measures in accordance with their situations adopting, for example, the following means:
-   Rationalizing use of official vehicles to reduce fuel consumption by encouraging the use of public transport.
-   Keeping unnecessary lightings off during lunch time and after office hour as far as possible.
-   Installation of water saving devices on water faucets and reviewing washing method and frequency of official cars.

Greenhouse gas emissions generated by using electricity have been considerably increasing past two years, with the increase in total volume of power consumed and the increase in electricity provided by business entities other than power companies, and this upward trend seems to continue. Considering the current status of GHG emissions in Japan, the national government, a consumer of energy and fuels, needs to step up efforts in reducing GHG emissions to invite all stakeholders to participate in the efforts in emissions reductions. Measures that should be promoted for emissions reductions include:
-   Introduction of new energy resources including solar power generation as far as possible according to the size and structure of buildings.
-   Further promotion of greening of government offices, introduction of energy saving facilities and equipments, refurbishment and improvement of facilities and operation.

To deepen the understanding of officials not only at the headquarters of ministries and agencies but also at local branch offices and bureaus about global warming, it is necessary to promote such activities as systematically offering global warming seminars and actively providing information.

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